A Mary Moment Monday post
This week, I’m doing one of my favorite things: teaching and supporting our parish’s Confirmation Boot Camp. Over the three years that I’ve been involved with this, I’ve found my own faith deepening. In the time that I’ve studied and prepared, in the time that I’ve taught and interacted, in the time that I’ve given and received, I’ve found myself inspired.
The future of our Church is pretty awesome.
Last year, I felt really convicted that we needed to incorporate the rosary each day. We used it as a way to punctuate our sessions: we opened the day with the beginning prayers and a decade and then at the end of each session we prayed a decade.
There was one day when I closed the session and told the kids they could have their 15 minute break.
“We haven’t prayed our rosary!” the loudest, most boisterous, most energetic boy in the class said.
I don’t know what seeds I plant as a catechist. I suspect, but I don’t really know. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it.
I don’t know what impact I make when I’m in front of a group of kids, trying to get out of the Holy Spirit’s way and not get too much wrong.
But I know this: it’s important work. And it’s making a difference.
I don’t always see or feel or experience the difference. I don’t always get the satisfaction I crave.
In that moment, when this boy (who won my heart with all the questions he asked, because I’m a question-asker too) demanded the rosary, I saw a glimpse of some of the foundation we could be laying.
It’s hard work, most of the time, to be a catechist. I have to reevaluate my time and what it takes from my family and what I have to give. I have to remain humble enough to accept instruction of my own, to get out of the way when there’s someone/something better, to point more than I tell.
And it’s one of my very favorite things in the world. It’s right up there with reading.
As we go through our boot camp, I find myself seeing glimpses of Jesus and Mary. I hear them in the questions the kids ask, in the concerns they share, in the hesitation they have about being challenged and challenging back.
While I’m teaching and letting go (because much of my teaching is about getting out of God’s way), I often find myself surprised. How do I know this? How do I believe this? How do I have such confidence?
There’s a rosary in my pocket and a prayer on my heart. I hope you’ll join me this week in praying for the future of our Church, beginning with the Confirmation candidates in your own parish.
I am always thinking of Abraham when I think of God’s promises and the evidence of God’s work in our life….He promised Abraham that his descendants would outnumber the stars, but Abraham never saw that in his lifetime… he only saw Isaac. But he trusted in God. Thank you for your investment in the future! It WILL bear fruit. For the ENTIRE body of Christ!
I love that, Patti! Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Sarah,
Have you considered writing about the effect that our summer seminarians have had on our parish, and especially our staff? The effect they have had on our youth? Food for thought.
Well then, I guess I have my next writing prompt. (I have, in fact, been considering this among other things.)
I’ve never heard of a “Confirmation Boot Camp”! Our parish posts the names of those to be confirmed on our Lenten cross in the sanctuary during Lent. They are sealed; so, we don’t know who we get. We pick one and commit to praying for the individual candidate throughout the year…to which I always add in my prayers “and all the confirmation candidates.” I am going to change that to pray “and all confirmation candidates.” That way yours are included as well. God bless you, Sarah! It is wonderful when the Lord gives us little glimpses of how He is working in our lives and the lives of others. Such a blessing!